Sloppy weather, sloppy plays at Salisbury

Fumbles, sacks and penalties were plentiful but Palisades' Pirates still pulled ahead.

October 17, 2009|By John Heilig SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL - Freelance

Football games played on artificial surfaces aren't supposed to be sloppy.

Nobody told Palisades and Salisbury.

The two teams' Colonial League match-up at Salisbury was anything but neat. Granted, it was raining the whole 48 minutes, but there was more than any game's share of fumbles, sacks, interceptions and penalties.

In the end, Palisades completely shut down Salisbury's running game while running all over the Falcons themselves in a dominant 20-13 win that was not nearly as close as the score suggests.

The Pirates (4-3) dominated the lines, both offensively and defensively, and held the Falcons (2-5) to minus 27 yards rushing on the night. Meanwhile, James Stanell rushed 25 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Adam Hardy ran 11 times for 73 yards and a score. Passing, Hardy was 3-for-7 for 33 yards and a pick.

"The line was amazing," Stanell said. "The train didn't stop running all night. I have to eliminate my mistakes. I fumbled on the goal line for a touchback and that did not feel good."

Stanell also had another fumble that caused no damage when it rolled out of bounds.

The Pirates sacked Falcon quarterback Justin Todora seven times and forced him out of his rhythm all night. Still, he was able to connect with Tyrae McDuffie for a 54-yard score midway through the fourth quarter for the Falcons' first score.

Pirate tight end Miles Schillings was in Todora's face and put him on his back several times. Stanell also had his number called several times on defense, both as a pass defender and a run stopper.

"I like defense," Stanell confessed."Offense is fun, but on defense you get to hit and have more fun."

Palisades had a touchdown called back in the second quarter when they were called for a personal foul on a 16-yard pass play from Hardy to Josh Parris, who was playing hurt. Later in the quarter Hardy scored on a 1-yard run capping a 38-yard drive. Stanell carried the ball for 31 of those yards.

Salisbury also had a touchdown called back in the second quarter on a holding penalty.

The Pirates increased their lead to 13-0 early in the fourth quarter when Stanell ran the ball in from the 9-yard line.

On Salisbury's next possession, Todora was sacked three times by Tim Square (twice) and Chris Kullman, but was still able to complete passes for 25 yards before a 54-yard bomb to Tyrae McDuffy for the Falcons' first score. McDuffy caught the ball in a crowd near midfield and outran the Pirate defense to the house.

With under two minutes remaining, Stanell ran the ball in from the 12 after a 5-play 31-yard drive.

Salisbury responded immediately when Tyrell Colbert ran back the kickoff for the final score. But it was too little, too late. The Falcons' onside kick traveled seven yards to their own 42, where Palisades took over and ran out the clock.

"Give Palisades credit," said Salisbury coach Rob Sawicki. "They knew our system. We were able to run very well last week, but they shut us down. Our quick step and throw worked, but they put pressure on us. We'll have to correct that."

"We did a good job on defense," Sawicki continued. "We got the turnover at the goal line and Ryan Kelly did a good job at cornerback. We'll have a tough test next week against Wilson."

"Our line was the difference tonight," Palisades coach Brian Gilbert said. "We made a lot of mistakes, though, and didn't get it done in the fourth quarter. We did enough to win. I'm happy to come out with a win against a good football team."